Acts 6

Seven Chosen to Serve

6In those days, as the number of the disciples ^dwas multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews ^eagainst the Hebraic Jews ^fthat their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. ^g2Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters. ^h3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, ⁱfull of the Spirit ^jand wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. ⁴But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.” ⁵The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, ^ka man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch. ^l6They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed ^mand laid their hands on ⁿthem. ^o

⁷So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied ^pgreatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

⁸Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹Then some from what is called the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen. ¹⁰But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

¹¹Then they persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!” ^q12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, dragged him off, and took him to the Sanhedrin. ¹³They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. ^r14For we heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” ^s15And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.